You’d think that after taming a 150cc race bike at breakneck speeds, Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM would spend his free time doing something calm like fishing or napping. But, no.
Instead, he grabs a tiny car, sends it flying around a plastic track, and grins like a kid on his birthday. Welcome to Nazirul’s other race track, where the engines are small, but the fun is full-sized.
“If I’ve got free time, I’ll be playing Tamiya,” Nazirul says with a laugh. “It’s my way of switching gears. And apart from that, I also attend Quran classes at the mosque. It’s a balance between fun and personal growth.”
This isn’t a new obsession. Nazirul’s been into Tamiya since his school days, but his love for motorcycles took centre stage for years.
“I’ve been into Tamiya since I was in school, but back then I was more focused on motorcycles. Now, with a bit more time outside my racing schedule, I get to relive that childhood passion,” he shared.
So what’s the draw for a professional rider who already gets to experience speed and competition on the world stage?
“Tamiya is still racing, just on a smaller scale,” Nazirul grins. “The excitement’s there, the competition’s there, but it’s different enough to feel fresh. Plus, I’ve learned so many new things about building and tuning them. It’s like engineering in miniature form.”
For someone used to the intense, high-pressure atmosphere of championship racing, Tamiya offers a whole different kind of joy.
“With Tamiya, it’s pure fun. No pressure, no expectations. Just racing for the joy of it. It’s my stress-buster!”